[firebacon]

This "tiny cube" weighs 500kg. For comparison, the first car I owned, a Fiat Punto, also had 500kg.

In hindsight, I'm happy that I wasn't allowed to drive it at age 14 without a license; I'm pretty sure that I would have killed somebody...

[dmitryminkovsky]

Yeah this thing is quite luxurious I’m not sure the authors realized this. Either that or this sponsored content. I know you’re not supposed to say that here, but it really felt like that. Seemed to be totally lacking any critical perspective. Couldn’t figure it out.

I also don’t get how these are supposed to be safe for 14 year olds and pedestrians.

[user5994461]

It's really not luxurious. 6000 euros brand new.

[dmitryminkovsky]

That's a lot of euros...

...not to mention they focus on 14 year olds (like they're marketing to parents?). The idea that children should be driving around in vehicles that are the result of millions of man-hours of engineering and thousands of man-hours of labor (adults and likely other children in other countries in the supply chain)... well, that's intensely luxurious. End-of-days luxurious, in my opinion.

[jnwatson]

It is quite common to spend $5k-$10k on various summer enrichments for a 14 year old.

Just 4 years later, that child will likely go to university that costs on average $30K in the US.

[jlokier]

Wow. I'm a very grown adult, and I've never been on a vacation that cost $5k.

I've owned several cars, but the most expensive, shiny, sexy one cost $2.4k.

The idea of being a child having $10k spent on me just for summer fun is mind-blowing.

That feels luxurious to me.

I am under the impression that most parents who send their children to university in the US have to scrimp and save to pay for it. Like it's a really big deal. Sometimes only one child of two can go, because there isn't enough to pay for both. So it's not likely there's a lot of cash readily available for summer fun for each child in the years leading up to it.

[romwell]

>I've owned several cars, but the most expensive, shiny, sexy one cost $2.4k.

It didn't cost $2.4K new, did it?

Now your car likely wasn't a luxury car, and likely cost way more than $6K new.

[imtringued]

Round that up to 10k€ and you can get a real car like a Hyundai i10. Meanwhile the Ami is filled with compromises everywhere. Strange windows and doors. Only two seats. Limited max speed.

[BeeOnRope]

According to Wikipedia, the lightest Punto of any generation was 830 kg.

[bausano_michael]

Healthy lifestyle and good nutrition can easily bring one to -200kg.

[znpy]

In fairness, it had to be said that in Italy (fiat Punto, I guess you're Italian?) in the time where no license was required to drive 50cc and no helmet was mandatory it was pretty much a anarchy on streets.

I had to get a license at 16 to drive a 125cc (both theoretical and actual driving test) and many of my peers had taken a smaller test (theoretical only) at 14 to drive their 50cc.

I am satisfied that such exams are now mandatory and helmets are mandatory too.

[ohgodplsno]

No. A Fiat Punto is a ton.

[firebacon]

Well you're right, I misremembered. Also I just looked it up and I think it was actually a Panda and not a Punto (only owned it for a short time around 2009 and it was already close to worthless when I bought it). Still, I think it doesn't change the point much: at 500kg you're closer to a small car than to the lightweight moped for which these exceptions were made...

[ohgodplsno]

In the same way, a Panda is a ton. Generally speaking, the lightest you're every going to find in cars is 800kg. I drove a Clio 1 Phase 1, that was 820kg. And let's be honest, it wasn't much more than an engine, seats, and a body. Even a Twizy, which is absolutely nothing is in the 475kg range. Engines are heavy.

But yes, you are closer to a car. if it's truly 500kg.

[Daniel_sk]

Daewoo Tico is 680kg and I have seen few of these on the streets (not so common anymore).

[rasz]

Polski Fiat 126p ~600kg

[Ichthypresbyter]

The official maximum weight for a "light quadricycle" is 350 kg- but that doesn't include the batteries in the case of an electric vehicle.

[angry_octet]

If these are like most electric cars, the batteries are in a flat compartment at the bottom of the chassis in a box design, giving incredible torsional rigidity and a very low centre of mass, so great cornering. They could be pretty safe for the occupants, even fanging it down a narrow European street. However, not so safe for pedestrians. I'm guessing these won't come with ABS or mm wave collision detection emergency brakes; it's one of those items that is cheap to manufacture and install, but the IP and testing is expensive.

[romwell]

> This "tiny cube" weighs 500kg. For comparison, the first car I owned, a Fiat Punto, also had 500kg.

It's electric, the weight is likely due to the battery.

The tiny cube is still tiny - way easier to control (and avoid) on narrow streets.

[geek_at]

Well you do need to pass a theoretical and practical exam to get the Age 14 moped license. And since automatic mopeds are around 200kg it's much less dangerous.